Gem

Good thread this.

I bought my ticket for this game when they went on sale, which seems forever ago now. Although what happens on the pitch is the most important thing, the reaction of the first home crowd (local derby non-the-less) to the Board/Management will tell us a lot I feel, especially for the remainder of the season at least. I expect chants of 'Stevie ((errrugh)) Clarke's Blue & White Army!' etc... But what about the players? Will Drogba and Lampard be there? If so, I expect to hear their names being sung. Not worried about Anti-Roman chants, but I expect to hear plenty of abuse for Kenyon. And of course, 'Jose Mourinho' ... Which I feel now is pretty pointless. The board know how the fans feel, making the players down by calling his name isn't going to help. I'd probably join in though F.ickl.e. As for predictions... Well, could easily be a 0-0, unless we learn how to work the goalkeeper. I am however going for 3-1 to the Blues - Pizarro and J.Cole x2. Someone else for them. COME ON THE CHELS!!!!

If he can score goals - he's in!

Regardless of what you think of it as a gesture, it is still something good to hear. Our captain will never let us down, glad to see he's taking some legal action instead of letting it carry on.

I'd say Cech, no one really stood out for me.

Well that killed us. Then again VDS hasn't had anything to do so I doubt it will affect the result in anyway. So, who thinks we don't miss Lampard? Anyone? Any Lampard hater want to step forward now? I'll hold your stick and seeing eye dog. Same for Drogba, but he doesn't get nearly as much critisism as Frank. We played well in spells, but our final ball was horrid, but it was like that before Jose left, so can't blame him for that.

When websites would give reasons why players weren't in the starting line-up i.e. Ballack, Bridge etc, Paulo was never mentioned. I am surprised though, as Belletti has played well in his last few games. Then again, we need to be able to defend first you feel, so Paulo is the better option.

The Mancs are fielding a very attacking line up Van der Sar Brown Ferdinand © Vidic Evra Carrick Scholes Ronaldo Giggs Rooney Tevez Pretty much an attacking 4 rather than 2.

Watching the Newcastle Spammers game and just caught some of the team news for the game, including that Ben Haim is in for Alex. Because Ben Haim has done so wonderfully well against Rooney in the past hasn't he? Why the hell drop Alex?! What has he done wrong? PS, We're playing 433 by the looks of it, Paulo is at RB too. Joey, Sheva and Malouda upfront, Pizarro's on the bench.

Well today is the today, potentially the biggest game of our season. The reaction of the players, fans, board, the performance and the result could shape where we go from here. Didn't Luca take over just days before our CC cup game against Arsenal? The team we never beat? Added to that it was away from home? Look what happened there, a great performance and a 3-1 score line to boot. I'm not saying this situation is the same, but a popular manager leaving and an unknown (in managerial terms anyway) coming in before a big game? We?re the underdogs, no one expects anything? I know we?re always under pressure, but maybe not so much on this game. This in many people?s eyes in a 3 points cert to the Mancs ? Lets go prove them wrong! COME ON CHELSEA!!

In a week where there has been little laugh ar or be cheerful for... This has put a smile on my face. Even CHELSEA (yes! Chelsea!) can beat the Brummies at home

I would like to hear the players speak also, but what are we expecting? What they say and what they feel/know are totally different things. See: Kenyon "Jose is in our future plans" 2 weeks ago.

Good to hear nice words from Wenger and Fergie - shows deep down they're decent men. As for the c**t on Merseyside? Complete and utter lack of class.

Crosses you say? I just find it frustrating that we wait to really go for it when we've either gone a goal down or its in the last ten minutes. Okay, so Kelly Holmes proved once and for all its a race and not a sprint... but it won't (and hasn't) always work. Are they surprised only 25,000 were there tonight? We haven't been playing good or attacking football, hardly worth shelling out for a ticket, travel, food, drink etc is it? Onwards and upwards. The Mancs next.

I wouldn't worry about it too much - it is just a wasted vote Perhaps, but it's still annoying I gave a valid reason why Lampard was my MOTM against Blackburn. Okay, so its a wasted vote because he didn't play and you obviously can't be MOTM when you don't play... in the match. However, countless times I've heard 'they play their best games when they're not involved...' by various sources - on here, pundits etc... So therefore I casted my vote. Anyway, tonight Alex got it, for no real reason except I remember him winning a lot of balls in the air. Could be completely wrong though and he won 2.

The amount of chances Essien has had from Lampard range.. can't help but feel this game would over with him on the pitch. Even if the goalkeeper makes a save and someone gets the rebound.

Whats that? You want Lamps and Drogba ready for the Mancs?

Shevchenko 1-1, good header. Great cross from Malouda. Hmmm... I have been calling for Malouda to get subbed all night, happy to be proved wrong of course

Wow... The ref is giving them everything (even when there isn't anything to give) at the moment. Its not an excuse, just an observation. Come on Chelsea, they have a goalkeeper, at least look like you want to work him.

They score, 1-0. Thats the difference between a team who can whip in set pieces and a team who can't. Once chance, one goal. Good finish to be fair though.

I thought we'd save Maka for the Mancs.. still, always good to see him involved. Malouda for SWP? Got to be keeping SWP for Sunday then Joey

You'd probably end up with 11 Kaka's on the pitch.

To be honest, if people don't see it now then they never will. 'Lampard's past it' 'best years behind him' 'shouldn't be untouchable' ... blah blah blah f**king-blah... Bullsh*t basically. He (along with JT and Drogba) are vital. I wouldn't put Essien in there... Although extremely important, we've won manier matches where he's been injured or suspended. Cech.. Well, we have a pretty darn decent back up in Carlo so.. Possibly not. Anyway, I don't often make 'oh I've said it all along' statements, but this is an exception - I have always said Frank is VITAL to any chances we have of winning (or heck - being in contention) anything. I like Mikel, but he's got an awful long way (which is fair enough, considering he's only 20/21) to go before he's anywhere near Frank's standard. We need him fit for the Mancs, otherwise I'm afraid we could be in for a thumping. PS, we need Drogba back too

Played well and seems to have slotted in nicely, doesn't seem to need any time to adapt. Then again, Del Horno started off with 5 or 6 decent games and then... Oh-No.. Still, will always be a fan of our new right back...